Human Activities

Fishing

Commercial
Map: Trawling and Deep Sea Corals
A map showing landings of fish caught by trawling (a method of commercial fishing) across the Southern California Bight (2007-2011). Locations of known deep-water corals, which are very vulnerable to trawling, are indicated on the map. Data source: CDFW, Perry et al 2010; Map credit: P. Etnoyer/NOAA, Etnoyer et al. 2015.

A map showing landings of fish caught by trawling (a method of commercial fishing) across the Southern California Bight (2007-2011). Locations of known deep-water corals, which are very vulnerable to trawling, are indicated on the map. Data source: CDFW, Perry et al 2010; Map credit: P. Etnoyer/NOAA, Etnoyer et al. 2015.

Click for Details Trawling landings across the Southern California Bight, as illustrated by CDFW 10 square kilometer blocks and shown along with known locations of stony deep-water corals. Trawling is known to disturb bottom habitats and deep-sea corals. Even though trawling effort has decreased in recent years, the impacts of this gear type can be long lived. For more information, consult Figure App.C.3.3 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Map: Fixed Gear and Deep Sea Corals
A map showing landings of fish caught by fixed gear (a method of commercial fishing) across the Southern California Bight (2007-2011). Locations of known deep-water gorgonians, which are very vulnerable to trawling, are indicated on the map. Data source: CDFW, Perry et al 2010; Map credit: P. Etnoyer/NOAA, Etnoyer et al. 2015.

A map showing landings of fish caught by fixed gear (a method of commercial fishing) across the Southern California Bight (2007-2011). Locations of known deep-water gorgonians, which are very vulnerable to trawling, are indicated on the map. Data source: CDFW, Perry et al 2010; Map credit: P. Etnoyer/NOAA, Etnoyer et al. 2015.

Click for Details Historical landings of fixed gear that could impact benthic habitats are shown along with the locations of deep-sea gorgonians in the map above. Fixed gear usage is moderate around the Channel Islands and likely impacts gorgonians in CINMS habitats. Data is from 2007 to 2011. For more information, consult Figure App.C.3.4 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Map: Trawl & Fixed Gear with MPAs
A map showing the locations of both trawling and fixed gear fishing in relation to protected areas (2007-2011) within the Southern California Bight. Data source: CDFW; Map credit: P. Etnoyer/NOAA

A map showing the locations of both trawling and fixed gear fishing in relation to protected areas (2007-2011) within the Southern California Bight. Data source: CDFW; Map credit: P. Etnoyer/NOAA

Click for Details Overlay of trawl and fixed gear fishing activity from 2007 to 2011 and protected areas is shown in the map above. Much of the landings is off the Santa Barbara mainland coast; however, fixed gear usage regularly occurs in Sanctuary waters. For more information, consult Figure App.C.3.5 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Recreational
Fishing activity (number of trip and number of anglers per trip) for Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels (CPFVs) operating out of ports in Santa Barbara and Ventura from 2000 to 2012. Figure credit: Chen et al. 2015b.

Fishing activity (number of trip and number of anglers per trip) for Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels (CPFVs) operating out of ports in Santa Barbara and Ventura from 2000 to 2012. Figure credit: Chen et al. 2015b.

Click for Details Fishing activity (number of trip and number of anglers per trip) for Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels (CPFVs) operating out of ports in Santa Barbara and Ventura from 2000 to 2012. Figure credit: Chen et al. 2015b. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.2a in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

A figure of Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel (CPFV) trips and anglers per trip accross years (2000 to 2012). Figure credit: Chen et al. 2015b.

A figure of Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel (CPFV) trips and anglers per trip accross years (2000 to 2012). Figure credit: Chen et al. 2015b.

Click for Details Fishing activity landings for Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels (CPFVs) operating out of ports in Santa Barbara and Ventura from 2000 to 2012. Activity landings in 2011 and 2012 returned to levels seen in the early 2000s. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.2b in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Oil & Gas

A figure showing trends in offshore oil and gas activity in Southern California from 1975 to 2014. Data source: Annual reports of the California State Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources; Figure credit: K. Andrews/NOAA.

A figure showing trends in offshore oil and gas activity in Southern California from 1975 to 2014. Data source: Annual reports of the California State Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources; Figure credit: K. Andrews/NOAA.

Click for Details The status and trends of offshore oil and gas activity in southern California was measured using a normalized index of oil and gas production from offshore wells in state and federal waters in California. Activity has been stable over the last five years, but the short-term average was well below the long-term average (dashed green line). A rather steady decrease in oil and gas production has occurred since the mid-1990s. Data source: B. Owens/CDFW; Figure credit: NOAA. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.17 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Oil & Gas Maps
Offshore Oil Platforms
A map of offshore oil platforms within the Santa Barbara Channel, from west to east: Hondo, Harmony, Heritage, Holly, C, B, A, Hillhouse, Habitat, Henry, Houchin, Hogan, Rincon Island, Grace, Gilda, Gail, and Gina. Data source: State of California GeoPortal; Map: M. Cajandig/NOAA

A map of offshore oil platforms within the Santa Barbara Channel, from west to east: Hondo, Harmony, Heritage, Holly, C, B, A, Hillhouse, Habitat, Henry, Houchin, Hogan, Rincon Island, Grace, Gilda, Gail, and Gina. Data source: State of California GeoPortal; Map: M. Cajandig/NOAA

`

2015 Refugio Oil Spill
A map showing the area around the Santa Barbara Coast affected by the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill. Data source: Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Technique (SCAT) Shoreline Oiling. Map. Map: M. Cajandig/NOAA

A map showing the area around the Santa Barbara Coast affected by the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill. Data source: Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Technique (SCAT) Shoreline Oiling. Map. Map: M. Cajandig/NOAA

Click for Details Diagonal black lines cover the area where oil sheen was observed after the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill. The dark black line indicates the short-term fishery closures. See Figures C2.4 and C13.5 for the modeled oil transport, which predicts crude oil reaching sanctuary waters, Santa Rosa, and Santa Cruz islands north-facing beaches days after the spill. For more information, consult Figure App.C.2.3 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

A map showing projected oil movement following the Refugio Oil Spill in May 2015. Figure credit: B. Emery and L. Washburn/UCSB.

A map showing projected oil movement following the Refugio Oil Spill in May 2015. Figure credit: B. Emery and L. Washburn/UCSB.

Click for Details Modeled oil trajectories based on high frequency (HF) radar and averaged sea surface current vectors during the month of May 2015 (green and blue lines). Yellow triangles represent SCCOOS HF Radar stations, and oil platforms are shown as small gray dots. The HF station at Gaviota was installed immediately after the spill to avoid local data gaps during this critical monitoring time period. It was only active for one and a half months. PTC = Point Conception; RFG = Refugio State Beach; COP = Coal Oil Point; SSD = Summerland Sanitary District; MGS = Mandalay Generating Station; SCI = Santa Cruz Island. Pink lines indicate commercial shipping lanes. The black line encircles the region of interest. For more information, consult Figure App.C.2.4 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

An image of modeled sea surface current directions used to predict oil movement from May 20 to May 25, immediately following the Refugio Oil Spill (2015). Source: SCCOOS; Figure credit: B. Emery and L. Washburn/UCSB.

An image of modeled sea surface current directions used to predict oil movement from May 20 to May 25, immediately following the Refugio Oil Spill (2015). Source: SCCOOS; Figure credit: B. Emery and L. Washburn/UCSB.

Click for Details Daily snapshots of oil transport simulations (blue dots) based on near-real time sea surface current direction and speeds (black arrows) from May 20 to 25, 2015, the days just after the Refugio oil spill. Yellow triangles represent SCCOOS high frequency radar (HFR) observation stations. PTC = Point Conception; RFG = Refugio State Beach; COP = Coal Oil Point. Not pictured is a HFR station at Gaviota, which was temporarily installed for one and half months following the spill (currently no longer active, see http://washburnlab.msi.ucsb.edu/mtu1) to address local data gaps. Not labeled is the yellow triangle/HFR station on Santa Cruz Island. Pink lines indicated commercial shipping lanes. The full oil transport model simulation can be viewed online. For more information, consult Figure App.C.2.5 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Vessel Traffic

Map: Vessel Traffic Patterns
A map showing traffic patterns of large commercial shipping vessels through the Sanctuary (2008, 2010, 2014). Data source: USCG AIS data, processed by NMFS; Figure credit: MSWGSS 2016.

A map showing traffic patterns of large commercial shipping vessels through the Sanctuary (2008, 2010, 2014). Data source: USCG AIS data, processed by NMFS; Figure credit: MSWGSS 2016.

Click for Details Traffic patterns of large commercial vessels (cargo and tanker vessels) in the Santa Barbara Channel region for 2008, 2010, and 2014. The number of commercial ship transits is shown, using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data transmitted from ships. Vessels transiting to and from the Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach that pass by the northern Channel Islands use either the Santa Barbara Channel Traffic Separation Scheme around the north side of the islands, or take routes south of the islands. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.12 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Map: Vessel Groundings
A map showing vessel grounding locations from 1999 to 2016.Data source: Vessel Assist; Map credit: M. Cajandig/NOAA.

A map showing vessel grounding locations from 1999 to 2016.Data source: Vessel Assist; Map credit: M. Cajandig/NOAA.

Click for Details Reported vessel grounding locations from 1999 to 2016 are shown in the map above. Not all groundings in the CINMS database are included as coordinates are unavailable for some grounding events. For more information, consult Figure App.C.3.1 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Visitors

Map: Location Recreational Activity
A map of the Santa Barbar Channel showing patterns in coastal recreational activity. Figure credit: Chen et al. 2015c.

A map of the Santa Barbar Channel showing patterns in coastal recreational activity. Figure credit: Chen et al. 2015c.

Click for Details Spatial patterns in coastal recreational activity levels in southern California (all activity types combined). Based on a standing internet panel designed to be demographically representative and surveyed 4,492 individuals in select south coast region counties. Activities at Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) included: beach-going (SRI), scenic enjoyment (SRI, SCI, Anacapa, SBI), photography (SRI, SCI, Anacapa), birdwatching (SRI, SCI, SBI), and hiking (SRI, SCI). For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.7 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Research

Human Impacts

Contaminants

Benthic Response Index
Map: 2013 Conditions at sites
A map showing sediment sample locations and their respective Benthic Reponse Index sites from a 2013 Southern California Bight-wide survey. The Benthic Response Index is a measure of the impact of humans on the seafloor. Figure credit: K. Schiff/SCCWRP.

A map showing sediment sample locations and their respective Benthic Reponse Index sites from a 2013 Southern California Bight-wide survey. The Benthic Response Index is a measure of the impact of humans on the seafloor. Figure credit: K. Schiff/SCCWRP.

Click for Details SCCWRP sediment sample locations and their respective Benthic Response Index (BRI) from the 2013 bight-wide survey are shown in the map. In order to create the BRI, infaunal invertebrate communities are characterized based on the proportion of taxa present in a sample that are sensitive to as opposed to tolerant of contaminant levels. Using a composite score of the infauna community, SCCRWP labels sample sites as reference, low impact, moderate impact, or high impact. For more information, consult Figure App.E.11.11 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Contaminants in Sediments
Map: 2008 DDT
A map showing DDT contaminant levels in sediments collected across the Southern California Bight in 2008. Figure credit: Schiff et al. 2011.

A map showing DDT contaminant levels in sediments collected across the Southern California Bight in 2008. Figure credit: Schiff et al. 2011.

Click for Details Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) contaminant levels in sediment sampling locations during SCCRWP’s 2008 bight-wide survey are shown in the map. DDT is most prominent around the Ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica Bay. DDT is a legacy contaminant, which means it persists in the environment long after introduction. A large amount of DDT in the bight came from the dumping of the contaminant by the Montrose Chemical Company off Palos Verdes until the early 1980s, which is why the surrounding areas have high DDT levels. CINMS is relatively far from the spill site and thus, has limited DDT concentrations in sediments. For more information, consult Figure App.E.11.12 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Map: 2008 Copper
A map showing copper contaminant levels in sediments collected across the Southern California Bight in 2008. Figure credit: Schiff et al. 2011.

A map showing copper contaminant levels in sediments collected across the Southern California Bight in 2008. Figure credit: Schiff et al. 2011.

Click for Details Copper contaminant levels at sediment sampling locations during SCCRWP’s 2008 Bight wide survey are shown in the map. Copper is a heavy metal contaminant that in high concentrations can be toxic to living marine resources. Concentrations in CINMS are consistently low compared with other regions in the southern California Bight. For more information, consult Figure App.E.11.13 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Map: 2008 Silver
A map showing silver contaminant levels in sediments collected across the Southern California Bight in 2008. Figure credit: Schiff et al. 2011.

A map showing silver contaminant levels in sediments collected across the Southern California Bight in 2008. Figure credit: Schiff et al. 2011.

Click for Details Silver contaminant levels in sediment sampling locations during SCCRWP’s 2008 bight-wide survey are shown in the map. Silver is a heavy metal contaminant that in high concentrations can be toxic to living marine resources. Concentrations in CINMS and the Santa Barbara Channel are consistently low compared other regions in the Southern California Bight. High concentrations of silver appear to be clustered off the two largest population centers: Los Angeles and San Diego. For more information, consult Figure App.E.11.14 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Map: 2008 PBDEs
A map showing the contaminent levels of Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (which are used as flame retardants) in sediments collected across the Southern California Bight in 2008. Figure credit: Schiff et al. 2011.

A map showing the contaminent levels of Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (which are used as flame retardants) in sediments collected across the Southern California Bight in 2008. Figure credit: Schiff et al. 2011.

Click for Details Sediment contaminant levels for Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the Southern California Bight are shown in the map above. These products are typically added to manufactured products as flame retardants. Concentrations of PBDEs are low at the islands compared to mainland areas. For more information, consult Figure App.E.11.15 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Map: 2008 Pyrethroids
A map showing pyrethroid (insecticide) contaminant levels in sediments collected across the Southern California Bight in 2008. Figure credit: Schiff et al. 2011.

A map showing pyrethroid (insecticide) contaminant levels in sediments collected across the Southern California Bight in 2008. Figure credit: Schiff et al. 2011.

Click for Details Pyrethroids contaminant levels in sediment sampling locations during SCCRWP’s 2008 bight-wide survey are shown in the map. Pyrethroids are typically pollutants coming from insecticide use. In recent years, there has been no agriculture on the islands and thus, pyrethroids are absent from CINMS sediments. Sediments adjacent to CINMS off Ventura have low levels of pyrethroids likely due to agriculture in that area. For more information, consult Figure App.E.11.16 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Contaminants in Mussels

Marine Debris

Map: debris in CalCOFI trawls (historical)
A figure showing the percentage of sampling stations with plastic debris across three sampling years. Figure credit: Gilfillan et al. 2009.

A figure showing the percentage of sampling stations with plastic debris across three sampling years. Figure credit: Gilfillan et al. 2009.

Click for Details Variation over time in percentage of stations from winter CalCOFI cruises with plastic micro-debris. Micro-debris was present in more than 50 percent of samples at each time period. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.15 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Noise

Listening Stations
A map showing the location of historic (green dots) and current (yellow dots) passive acoustic monitoring stations around the Sanctuary and Santa Barbara Channel. Map credit: M. Cajandig/NOAA.

A map showing the location of historic (green dots) and current (yellow dots) passive acoustic monitoring stations around the Sanctuary and Santa Barbara Channel. Map credit: M. Cajandig/NOAA.

Click for Details Previous (green dots) and current (yellow dots) passive acoustic monitoring stations in and around CINMS are shown along with several sources of anthropogenic noise: ports and harbors, oil platforms, shipping lanes, and military testing zones. SIO = Scripps Institution of Oceanography; NOAA NRS = Noise Reference Station. For more information, consult Figure App.C.2.8 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Seabird disturbance

Comparison: By Region
A figure showing rates of human-caused distubance to seabird breeding and nesting sites across three regions: the south coast (SCSR), central coast (CCSR), and north central coast (NCCSR). Figure credit: Robinette et al. 2015.

A figure showing rates of human-caused distubance to seabird breeding and nesting sites across three regions: the south coast (SCSR), central coast (CCSR), and north central coast (NCCSR). Figure credit: Robinette et al. 2015.

Click for Details Rates of human-caused disturbance to seabird breeding and roosting sites were low on Santa Cruz Island (SC) compared to other sites across the south coast (SCSR), central coast (CCSR), and north central coast (NCCSR) study regions. Activities noted as causing disturbance at SC in 2012 to 2013 were human power boats, recreational fishing boats, recreational power boats, commercial fishing boats, airplanes, and helicopters. SD = San Diego, PV = Palos Verdes Peninsula, SB = Shell Beach, MD = Montana de Oro, EB = Estero Bluffs, MO = Montara, PR = Point Reyes, BO = Bodega. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.9 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Whale entanglement

Map: Whale Overlap with Fishing
Blue
A map showing the risk posed to blue whales from 11 fixed gear fisheries (a type of commercial fishing) in the Southern California Bight. Figure credit: Saez et al. 2013.

A map showing the risk posed to blue whales from 11 fixed gear fisheries (a type of commercial fishing) in the Southern California Bight. Figure credit: Saez et al. 2013.

Click for Details Co-occurrence score (risk) based on multi-year average whale density and fishing effort for 11 fisheries is shown for quarters three (Q3) and four (Q4) for blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus). In Santa Barbara from July to December, there is an elevated risk area for multiple whale species with the California halibut/white seabass set gillnet, hagfish trap, rock crab trap, sablefish, spiny lobster trap, and spot prawn trap fisheries. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.11a in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Fin
A map showing the risk posed to fin whales from 11 fixed gear fisheries (a type of commercial fishing) in the Southern California Bight. Figure credit: Saez et al. 2013.

A map showing the risk posed to fin whales from 11 fixed gear fisheries (a type of commercial fishing) in the Southern California Bight. Figure credit: Saez et al. 2013.

Click for Details Co-occurrence score (risk) based on multi-year average whale density and fishing effort for 11 fisheries is shown for quarters three (Q3) and four (Q4) fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). In Santa Barbara from July to December, there is an elevated risk area for multiple whale species with the California halibut/white seabass set gillnet, hagfish trap, rock crab trap, sablefish, spiny lobster trap, and spot prawn trap fisheries. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.11b in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`

Humpback
A map showing the risk posed to humpback whales from 11 fixed gear fisheries (a type of commercial fishing) in the Southern California Bight. Figure credit: Saez et al. 2013.

A map showing the risk posed to humpback whales from 11 fixed gear fisheries (a type of commercial fishing) in the Southern California Bight. Figure credit: Saez et al. 2013.

Click for Details Co-occurrence score (risk) based on multi-year average whale density and fishing effort for 11 fisheries is shown for quarters three (Q3) and four (Q4) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). In Santa Barbara from July to December, there is an elevated risk area for multiple whale species with the California halibut/white seabass set gillnet, hagfish trap, rock crab trap, sablefish, spiny lobster trap, and spot prawn trap fisheries. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.11c in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.

`